Gourmet Kosher Cooking

Gourmet Kosher Cooking

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You ask great questions and I love sharing both the question and the answers with all of my readers. Best of summer q and a….

Why does basil die when I put it in my fridge?
Farmer market girl, Los Angeles

Vibrant, lush fresh perfumey basil quickly becomes limp and brown after being stored in the refrigerator. Basil is a tropical plant, highly sensitive to cold. If stored below 40 F, and most refrigerators are set between 35 and 38. Instead, keep basil in a cool, shady place in your kitchen, stems submerged in a glass partially filled with water. Then place a large zip lock plastic bag over the top of the basil: this keeps the leaves moist while still letting the plant breathe.

What is that yellow spot on the watermelon and someone said it is important for ripeness? How do I pick a ripe watermelon?
Martha, Brookline, MA

I just learned this myself! Although a ripe melon says “punk” when thumped and a green one says “pink or pank”, this can be very difficult. Look instead for a deep cream or yellow ground spot, where the melon sat on the ground as it grew, to show that it ripened adequately before harvest. Light green or whitish spots indicate underripe melons. Also, shiny melons may be unripe and dull rinds can be overripe. I like to smell them too, the fragrant melons, all types are usually riper.

The Nine Days are here again…and we have the GKC Nine Days Recipe Roundup Here with something for everyone, from pasta making tips and recipes, quiche, homemade pizza, to tons and tons of fish options, vegetarian chili, and more. Send me your favorites so that I can add it to our extensive collection. And don’t forget to search the index by ingredient too, like salmon, or flounder, or ice cream.

Here's a clean and easy way to remove kernels from an ear of corn.
Whip out your Bundt pan, but not for making a cake.
1. First, fit the tip of a shucked ear of corn into the hole in the center of a Bundt pan.
2. Then, firmly hold the ear near the top, and slide a sharp knife down the side to cut off the corn kernels.
3. Rotate the cob and repeat cutting, letting the cake pan neatly catch the kernels as they are removed.

Fresh corn is delicious this time of year while it's in the height of season. Watch for Long Island white corn in August.

Father’s Day and graduation are definitely a terrific kickoff to summer. Burgers are an essential part of summertime and we make them any and all ways in our house.

Before starting any BBQ or burger night, start with these BURGER MAKING TIPS, to ensure perfect juicy results every time. And get more tips and the best Turkey Burger recipe on this GKC Turkey Burger Video. It’s a fan favorite on both Aol and Yahoo video, with over 200,000 views.

Next, we have a few burger recipes to keep on hand all summer! Serve them with different condiments, ketchups, chili sauces, tzatziki, or mustards, and assorted breads/buns, including pitas, Indian bread, wraps, etc. This way every burger seems like a very different meal and cuisine. Let me know your favorite burger recipe too, so we can share it with all GKC burger fans.

What’s the difference between the variety of cucumbers you see in the market? Actually the difference is huge in terms of taste and crunch but all can be used interchangeably in a recipe, although I certainly have my preference. Check out these varieties and get your summer started with some Classic Cucumber Salad.

Kirby
Knubby and mixed shades of green. About 3-inches long and often 2-inches wide. Tasty firm flesh and thin skin make it a natural for eating raw or pickling.

Persian
My personal favorite! High ratio of skin to flesh, resulting gin concentrated flavor and crunchy texture than can stand up to cooking but excellent as a snack or in salads. Great flavor.

Common Cucumber a.k.a. American cucumber
Thick, often waxed skin and big seeds, which means, peeling is a must. I seed them too because they often shed too much water in salads. Good for the American cucumber salad, but that’s about it.

English Hothouse
Delicious, thin, crisp skin and a delicate aroma. Ideal for juicing and cocktails, salads, and eating. The skin adds color and flavor so leave it on.

What can I use in place of an egg wash?
Substitute pareve cream, heavy cream, soymilk or milk. The result will be slightly less glossy. Sometimes I brush challahs with a combination of 1 tablespoon soymilk, ½ teaspoon honey and a splash of vanilla extract

Flakier pie crust?
Add a drop of white distilled vinegar to the dough for a flakier crust.

What can I use in place of pareve whipping cream?
This is tough because there are no products on the market currently that whip as well as the artificial product we currently use. However, I have been whipping the firm layer that forms from a can of chilled unsweetened coconut milk. Whip it just like heavy cream. After soft peaks form add ¼ cup sugar, very gradually and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.

Crisper roasted vegetables?
For roasted vegetables, always use a low-sided baking sheet and high oven heat (400 degrees) or convection bake or roast (for convection, I use 375 degrees). Also, add a little oil to baking sheets and put them in the oven while it heats. When you add the veggies, they will immediately sear.

How much salad dressing do I need to make?
Count on 1 - 1 ½ tablespoons dressing per serving.

“My father-in-law’s mother, whom my daughter is named after, used to make this cake for my father all the time and it's been an honor to recreate it for him. It's become a fun recipe to make with my kids and I even make it with my own mom when I go visit my parents and siblings in Seattle. It's definitely a family favorite! “

Jamie Geller, from Joy of Kosher, makes this bright and fresh California Avocado Salad for her mom. It’s her mom’s favorite. Her mom is in awe of Jamie’s cooking skills as she doesn’t cook and did not pass that on to Jamie. Well, look at her now, mom! Tamar Genger, from Joy of Kosher, has a mom fave too. Her mom is great at making schnitzel and all kinds of latkes, but this is probably her specialty that she actually posted to the site in the very early days, Stuffed Veal Roast

Shoshana Ohriner, from Couldntbepareve.com shared two nostalgic and classic recipes. Her dad is the chef in their home but the original recipe is from her maternal grandmother who was a great cook. How cool is that, her dad makes a recipe from her mom’s family. It’s called World’s Best Brisket and is filled with flavorful ingredients like thyme, oregano and Manishewitz wine.

Shoshana’s husband’s grandmother comes to visit and makes these Grandma Rose Mandelbrot with her grandkids. Now that’s how memories and great recipes are shared.

Fellow blogger and friend, Ronnie Fein wrote this touching and memorable article for the yahrzeit of her mom. It would have been her 100th birthday. Ronnie’s mom was a wonderful cook (check out the recipes in her post, fried chicken, Fannies, apple pie, corn fritters!) and the Famous Nut Roll Recipe which is delicious and easy to make! Ronnie, it’s a beautiful tribute to your mom.

Vicky Cohen and Ruth Fox, sister bloggers and chefs from MayIhavethatrecipe.com shared these Sweet Semolina Borekas because it reminds them of their mom. The orange blossom syrup is citrusy and sweet and amazing on the borekas.

Honoring Moms…What’s the recipe you remember mom making? Have mom’s best recipe? Please share it!
My mom (now a grandmother) is famous with my kids for homemade pancakes and rugelach. As a kid, I actually remember her making lavish (or just very messy) Chinese food. She took a Chinese cooking class and became a wok master.

I also remember making Rocky Road Chocolate Fudge with my grandmother, but cannot locate the recipe L but my mother remembers her making excellent babka and cookies, like these Coconut Cookies. I actually have her old recipe binder with neatly typed out and handwritten recipes filed by recipe type. Yes, there is a big jello section, but tons of sweet cakes like Ethel’s coffee cake, or Sophie’s Barbkie (I guess that’s Babki, like Babka?)

Help me celebrate Mother’s Day by sharing a recipe that you remember your mom making. Share the recipe so that I can share it with all the other moms too.

It’s almost Mother’s Day and sorry to burst your bubble, but I don’t want breakfast in bed! I want to sleep in (what’s that?), I want someone to drive any and all carpools, I want a great cup of hot coffee, and I definitely want to eat one or all of these recipes. I’m easy, just make something I like ☺ that means, almost anything with chopped, toasted nuts, or crumble, maybe something chocolate, and definitely something moist, delicious and satiating. And…please clean up after you make it for me, tysm
I love being a mom!Strawberry-Almond Cornmeal CakeCarrot-Walnut Loaf CakeChocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Bites

Winter comfort food no more! Spring is finally here! The minute warmer weather arrives in NY, I’m motivated to create light and fresh recipes. I also enjoy the outdoors so I like spring recipes that are quick and easy and allow for more time to enjoy the sunshine. However, just like the lazy winter blues shouldn’t compromise your meals neither should spring fever. Try these simple, light, and super tasty salad recipes. Welcome Spring welcome ☺

Confessions….one of my favorite parts of teaching cooking classes is the pseudo therapy the women in the class give one another. Sometimes its hard to quiet people down because they are so passionate about the topics from how to feed picky eaters, how to make healthier meals without a fuss, dinner and Shabbos recipe suggestions, and very often lately, how to save money and still feed a family in a nutritious way.

I think these are very relatable. I very often go to the store for one or two items only to spend much more money than I planned for a couple of groceries. And I like to cook wholesome and healthy for a big family and often lots of company on Shabbos and want it to be affordable and time efficient.

As I've become more experienced in the food industry, I've come to realize there are lots of ways to make grocery shopping quick and less expensive (this applies to healthy eaters who like specialty stores like Whole Foods Markets, as well those who are looking for ways to spend less on organic and nutritious groceries).

Here are my tips on how to grocery shop efficiently and affordably without over spending:

1. Meal Prep! I cannot stress this tip enough. Every Sunday, take 10 minutes and create a few weeknight and weekday (for lunch makers) meals for that week. I usually plan Monday through Wednesday and then create a grocery list from these meals. I add in snacks, and the regular items that are standards, like milk, fruit, salad vegetables, and juice. It may seem a bit ridiculous, but meal prepping saves you time by not having to decide what to make each night and money by not over buying and shopping carelessly. It may be hard to incorporate what you want to make for Shabbos in your preparations, so don't worry you can also think about Shabbos meals on Wednesday or Thursday and shop for Shabbos then.

2. Order Online if possible. Unfortunately, many markets do not have this online feature. However, if your market allows you to make an order through email for pickup or delivery, I strongly suggest it. It saves both time and money. Most people walk through the grocery store and select unnecessary items that add up. Even sale items that you do not need, will add to a bill. How often are you surprised at the grocery bill when you check out? Some of that overspending at the market can be avoided with online ordering. Of course, I enjoy trying new products that catch my eye, but try to keep the "extras" to a minimum when I’m actually in the market.

3. If you are a fruit and vegetable lover like me, this tip is especially applicable to you. Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season. Many times we go to the market looking for artichokes, persimmons, cherry tomatoes, or mangos, look down at the price and they are double the usual cost. This is because fruits and veggies work with supply and demand. If they are in season, there is a greater supply so the cost goes down. And the opposite, when they are not in season, causing the prices to jump. Therefore, try to buy fruits and vegetables that are seasonal to get the best value for their cost.

4. Look for sales- this may seem a bit extreme, but don't ignore super market sales. Follow the advertisements and buy items on sale in bulk. I buy cereal on sale, always, granola bars, flour, sugar, and yogurts too. I don’t run from market to market because it just takes too much time, but I do watch the sales at my favorite market and make sure to put away my staple items at those time when I see a great sale. Even markets like Whole Foods has great sales. Last week I saw Kind Bars for 3 for $1, and Chobani yogurts for $.89.

5. Certain stores provide cash back for bringing your own bag (to avoid using plastic). This is a great and easy way to save money. Don't forget your canvas bags! And many markets have school “give back” programs where they give a % of the proceeds from every sale to the school of your choice. That way you can feel good about all that grocery shopping.

I love hearing your thoughts and learn so much from all my readers! Share the way you save time and money to become a pro shopper in the comments below. Happy shopping!

If you’ve been peeling bananas from the stem, there’s a better way. Monkeys, who know their bananas, use the stem as a handle and pinch the other end to split the peel, as shown here. The peel comes off evenly and cleanly, taking more of those stringy bits with it.

Frozen bananas are great in smoothies and milkshakes and help sweeten treats without a lot of extra sugar. I freeze the overripe ones in the peel, or peel them and slice them and freeze them in a single layer so that they don’t all stick together.

My dad loves his homemade tuna fish. He is not the chef in the family, although he makes great matzo brei, and grills like a master chef, but he has perfected a wonderful tuna fish and is quite proud of himself. On a recent visit to California, he pulled me aside and challenged my very basic tuna, mayo, and lemon juice combo that I threw together for my hungry family. He proudly shared his California Style Tuna and now I must share it with you. It includes lots of crunch, and both salty, savory and sweet flavors. It’s best on a bed of lettuce with carrot and celery sticks on the side. But my dad loves it on toasted whole grain bread (also California style), with extra lettuce, tomatoes and sliced pickles on the side…and of course a big pile of potato chips too.

Need other tuna fish options? Try these…Tuna TapenadeTuna and White Bean Salad
And of course, you could also, just open a can, drain it of any liquid, add mayonnaise and lemon juice, maybe a pinch of salt and serve.

Although January 1 has no significance on the Jewish calendar, people still use it as a benchmark for restarting a healthy diet. Gym memberships, diet websites, and nutritionists are busier than ever this time of year.

There are no easy fixes for dieting or miracle foods in the energy equation, but smart food choices really boost your day. It’s a crucial time to treat your body well. Kids need more energy and hydration to stay perked up for learning and adults have longer days than ever. In addition to watching my diet, I’m keeping my refrigerator full of kale and arugula for interesting salads and making some homemade snack bars and muffins to keep the kids happy and better nourished. Try these simple and tasty recipes that meet healthy lifestyle standards and taste great.

Using the right spice blend can mean the difference between an authentic tasting dish and one that’s just okay. Find these spice blends in your local markets, specialty markets and online at penzeys.com or kalustyans.com (make sure you verify kosher certification before purchasing). And if you don’t want to buy them, here are the essential ingredients in each mixture. They take the ordinary dishes and make them extraordinary plus they make everyday cooking so easy because they liven up regular roasted chicken, rice or vegetables. Just use the spice blend with some olive oil, kosher salt and pepper and roast. Delicious and easy.

Ras-el-hanout: Blend of cardomom, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric and coriander. It’s a North African blend and is amazing sprinkled on lamb before grilling or roasting, adds warm flavor to rice pilaf or couscous and delicious added to cholent.

White asparagus has become very popular in Jewish markets because washing green asparagus is more difficult and challenging to confirm that no bugs are hiding in those delicious tops. White asparagus is less bitter and more tender than its green counterpart. It’s pale because it’s grown covered in dirt so it’s never exposed to sunlight and does not develop chlorophyll. I think it has a dressy and elegant appearance, white and silvery, especially combined with another green vegetable or plated with a sliced roast. It is a bit more expensive but it is a great addition to salads, as a side dish and even sliced raw.

I have good news, what I consider really good news! My friend Estee Kafra, of kosherscoop.com has packaged and created a new PAREVE CHOCOLATE CHIP, that is delicious, divine, and full of fabulous flavor. Finally, finally, we can all stop mourning the loss of Trader Joe’s chocolate chips.

These chocolate chips, called Best Ingredients For Best Results, semi-sweet chocolate chips, pareve, gluten-free, vegan, and no nuts are coming soon to your local markets (or go ask for them!) and now available on Amazon.com.

These chips are a great new product and I am so excited for you to try them and to change your baking forever. There is no comparison to the imitation chips and other packaged chocolate chips currently on the market that are available. These are affordable and delicious. Way to go Estee Kafra, thank you for filling the needs of the kosher food community.

When I was writing The Holiday Kosher Baker (Sterling 2013) I included a spiritual message in every chapter introduction. The Chanukah one is my favorite, because the message is so universal. Chanukah teaches us that you do not have to have all your resources before you start a project. Many of us have great ideas, but do not pursue them because we are waiting to gather more information, be more prepared or just waiting for the right time. When the Jews found the small pot of oil in the Temple, they could have easily decided not to bother lighting the menorah at all. Instead, they decided to just go for it, and they lit the menorah just expecting it to be lit for only one day. The miracle happened and it should inspire us to take chances, even when we cannot imagine what we might accomplish. I try to remember this lesson when I start a new recipe: just try it out and see where it goes.

Here are two of my favorite Chanukah recipes, churros dipped in chocolate as a a change from doughnuts, and an almond and olive oil cake, if you want to celebrate the miracle of the oil without frying, Happy Chanukah!

Aviva Kanoff, author of No-Potato Passover, is back with a new book, Gluten-Free Around the World, which not only expands the culinary options for people who follow a gluten-free diet but gives the reader a fantastic taste of traveling the world. Her experiences have become her inspiration for creating great recipes in anyone’s own kitchen.

Gluten-free is not just a food fad, it’s a serious diet for people who suffer from celiac disease, anyone with wheat allergy or an intolerance to gluten or who suffers from any of a multitude of ailments ranging from digestive disorders, asthma or skin problems, may also benefit from a gluten-free diet. The challenge is how to prepare tasty, appealing gluten-free food. There are no simple substitutions, no easy fixes. If you're kosher, the dietary prohibitions make it even more of a challenge. Aviva Kanoff, helps makes this easier with her new book, Gluten-Free Around the World.

It’s packed with recipes for tantalizing, creative foods she has tasted during her travels to such far places as Ecuador and India, Cambodia and Morocco and more. Recipes range from the enduring (Blueberry Scones) to the contemporary (Candied Fig and Goat Cheese Salad), from riffs on classics (Fish Tacos) to ethnic specialties (Beef Pho)..

Aviva is know as the “"the Indiana Jones of cooking" -- an adventurer, world traveler and fearless hero on the ground, in any vehicle and anywhere with a cooktop. This is the kind of person I would like to befriend. Her globe-trotting has taken her to the far reaches of Peru and India, Italy to Israel, Croatia to Southeast Asia and then some, where she has tasted the local flavors, photographed the feasts and recreated the bountifully flavored dishes of these exotic places in her own kitchen. The photos and the recipes will make you feel like you have visited some of these places yourself. Try these sneak peak recipes:

In my opinion, latkes are either great or not worth eating. One or the other. Crispy, slightly salty, no greasy aftertaste, and full of potato and onion flavor are what come to mind for a great latke. Over the years I’ve tried many recipes and techniques and honestly the recipes only vary in marginal ways, like using flour or matzo meal as a thickener, schmaltz or oil for the fat, baking powder or none, but generally potatoes, onions, eggs, salt and oil yield a great product if made well.

1. Squeeze out the liquid: Place the grated potato mixture in a kitchen towel and aggressively wring out as much liquid as possible. This concentrates flavor and prevents sogginess.

2. Switch up the fat: If you can find schmaltz (chicken fat), use it, it adds flavor. Blend it with vegetable oil (you need the oil’s high smoke point) for frying.

3. Test the temp: If your oil is too hot, you’ll burn the outside of the latke before it cooks through. If it’s too cool, the potatoes will soak up the oil. Medium-high heat is just right for achieving a beautiful crust. To tell, whether the oil is ready, drop, in a bit of the mixture. If it sizzles, start frying.

4. Keep them crisp: Unless you want to stand at the cooktop while everyone eats, you will need to keep a few batches hot while making the rest. Place the cooked latkes on a wire rack in a 325 degree oven which prevents them from sitting in their grease and lets heat circulate to keep that crunch.

What to do with used frying oil?

Reuse it. I don’t reuse my frying oil but if yours remains clear and light in color, you can extend its life by straining out the crumbs and storing it after its cooled.

Discard It. Don’t pour used frying oil down the drain. Instead, let it cool, pour it into a biodegradable container, such as a paper milk carton, and throw it out with your regular trash.